A radio fix is obtained by what means?

• A. Ranges and Bearings to Radio Navigational Aids or Signals.
• B. Distance to the nearest vessel.
• C. Fix by celestial navigation.
• D. Time-based drift calculation.

Answer: (A)

Radio fixes come from measurements to known radio navigational aids or signals. By determining how far you are from a beacon (range) and the direction to it (bearing), you plot lines of position on the chart. The intersection of these lines from one or more aids gives your location. This is why ranges and bearings to radio navigational aids or signals is the best description of a radio fix. The other methods describe non-radio techniques: distance to another vessel doesn’t fix your position against charted aids; celestial navigation uses stars; and drift calculated by time relies on dead reckoning rather than radio signals.